Dachshunds are adorable little dogs who bring joy and happiness to the lives of their owners. Most Dachshund owners dread the thought of the day when their pup is no longer with them.
Luckily, Dachshunds have a pretty long life expectancy. As long as they are cared for properly, they can live for many years.
Understanding how proper care can affect your Dachshund’s lifespan can help you become a better owner and improve the quality of life of your Mini Dachshund.
How long do Mini Dachshunds live? Mini Dachshunds can live to be between 12 and 16 years old, though some Dachshunds have lived to be much older. Factors such as diet, exercise, weight, veterinary care, genetics, environmental pollutants, and overall quality of life can influence length of life either positively or negatively.
If you are hoping your Mini Dachshund lives a long and healthy life, it’s important to understand the factors that play a role in your dog’s lifespan.
Read on to learn more about the average life expectancy of a Mini Dachshund and the things you can do to help increase it.
Mini Dachshund Life Expectancy
The average life expectancy of a Mini Dachshund is between 12 and 16 years.
There are a lot of things that can affect a dog’s lifespan, and a good pet owner should work to ensure their dog has a great quality of life and stays happy and healthy.
Factors That Affect Mini Dachshund Life Expectancy
You want your Mini Dachshund to live a long, happy life. Knowing how to properly care for your Dachshund is essential for helping him live a longer life.
Here are some things that can affect your pup’s life expectancy.
Nutrition
Feeding your dog a healthy and balanced diet could improve its life expectancy. Only feed your dog high-quality dog food designed for smaller breeds, and avoid feeding cheaper, generic brands.
A homemade diet is perfectly acceptable as long as you have a firm understanding of your dog’s nutritional needs.
It is highly recommended to consult with your vet or a canine nutritionist to ensure your dog is receiving the right balance of key nutrients.
If your dog does not seem to be maintaining a healthy weight, a veterinarian may be able to provide you with nutrition advice.
Exercise
Since Mini Dachshunds are so short, they can easily become overweight. This can put a strain on their spines and their organs.
Keeping your dog in shape is essential to maintaining good health, and a good amount of exercise will allow your Dachshund to stay trim and fit.
Walking your dog at least once a day and allowing plenty of outside playtime is usually sufficient.
Exercise can also help reduce the chances of a back injury and increase your dog’s flexibility to help make walking, running, and jumping safer and easier.
Weight
Weight can affect a Dachshund’s health and put a strain on his small body. An overweight Dachshund has a lower life expectancy than a healthy one, so it’s important to make sure your dog maintains a healthy weight.
Overweight Dachshunds can suffer from spine problems, leg and hips problems, and heart problems. The extra weight can make it hard for them to exercise, walk, and sleep comfortably.
Veterinary Care
It’s important to provide proper vet care for your pet. Even if your dog seems healthy, he will need to have checkups and booster shots to protect from common illnesses.
Your vet will be able to find health problems, including any spinal issues, before they become severe and treat them so that your dog is more likely to recover.
Your vet will arrange for scheduled appointments, and you should keep those appointments and follow any treatment plans.
Genetics
A dog’s genetics play a big role in how healthy he will be and how long he can live. Only buy puppies from reputable breeders, and ask for health records for the puppy and the parents.
This will show you if the parents had any conditions that may have been passed on to your puppy. Some breeders will provide this information voluntarily, and others may only do so if you ask for it.
Be leery of any breeder who refuses to provide you with health records for your puppy or the parents.
Environmental Factors
There are many environmental factors that can determine the health and life expectancy of your Mini Dachshund.
Where you live, the chemicals you clean with, the amount of time spent outside, and exposure to other people and animals (to name a few) can all affect your Doxie and the expected lifespan.
Quality of Life
Dachshunds who have a better quality of life are more likely to live longer. Proper diet; a safe, calm home; and regular bathing, vet care, and exercise can all improve the Dachshund quality of life and increase the life expectancy.
Feeling loved and valued is just as important for dogs as it is for people. Providing your pup with lots of attention and love will go a long way when it comes to quality of life.
Leading Cause of Death for Mini Dachshunds
The leading cause of death for Mini Dachshunds is cancer. Cancer can occur in any part of the body. Heart disease is the second most common cause of death in this breed.
Common Health Issues in Mini Dachshunds
Mini Dachshunds can have a multitude of health problems. A Dachshund is much more likely to suffer health problems if he comes from a backyard breeder or puppy mill.
Dachshunds are susceptible to many serious illnesses that can be fatal, including heart problems, liver disorders, respiratory illnesses, and kidney failure.
Do Male or Female Mini Dachshunds Live Longer?
Females usually outlive male dogs of any breed, and this is also the case with Mini Dachshunds.
Female dogs who are spayed and provided with proper care throughout their lives can outlive males by six months to a year.
Spaying and neutering males and females can greatly increase the lifespan of both sexes.
What Is the Life Expectancy of a Long-Haired Mini Dachshund?
The life expectancy of a long-haired Mini Dachshund is comparable to other Dachshunds. It can range from 12 to 16 years.
The Dachshund’s coat does not have a significant impact on the dog’s lifespan, but some long-haired Dachshunds are more susceptible to skin infections that could lead to other health problems and even be fatal.
What Is the Longest a Dachshund Has Lived?
The oldest Dachshund ever recorded is Rocky, who lived to be 25 years old. This short-haired Dachshund lived in Shingle Springs, California and was owned by Robert Rowland.
Rocky was born in 1987 and died in 2012. Rowland owned Rocky from the time he was two weeks old until he passed away.
There are several Dachshunds who have lived to be over 20 years old, but this should not be considered the norm.
Related Questions:
How Long Does a Standard Dachshund Live?
The average life expectancy of a Standard Dachshund is between 12 and 16 years.
This can vary based on many factors in the dog’s life, such as nutrition, veterinary care, weight, exercise, and quality of life.
What Is the Life Expectancy of a Dachshund Mix?
The average life expectancy of a Dachshund mix is between 14 and 16 years, though this can vary greatly based on the other breeds in question and the genetics and health of both parent dogs.
Final Thoughts
If you are considering getting a Mini Dachshund and are wondering how long you can expect to enjoy your time with your new pet, understanding the life expectancy of a Dachshund can help.
As with any dog, the better care you provide, the healthier he will stay and the more likely he will be to enjoy a longer life.
